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Japan's new Prime Minister, Mr. Kakuei Tanaka, and his Cabinet posed for cameramen on the?

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Japan's new Prime Minister, Mr. Kakuei Tanaka, and his Cabinet posed for cameramen on the steps of the Prime Minister's residence in Tokyo on Friday (7 July) shortly after the announcement of the Cabinet structure. Mr. Tanaka took over the Premiership from Mr. Eisaku Sato two days earlier, immediately pledging to "normalise" relations with the People's Republic of China, sign a peace treaty with the Soviet Union, and strengthen ties with the United States.

Breaking with tradition, Mr. Tanaka appointed a Minister Without Portfolio......65-year-old Mr. Takeo Miki, a former Foreign Minister. The key Cabinet post of Foreign Minister went, however, to Mr. Masayoshi Ohira, a faction leader who supported Mr. Tanaka for the Prime Ministership. Among other key appointments the Ministry of International Trade and Industry was given to Mr. Yasuhiro Nakasone....a prominent politician from the Liberal Democratic Party ranks.

Son after the Cabinet was announced Mr. Tanaka was confronted with his first crists as two new appointees refused to serve. Both were members of a party faction led by Mr. Takeo Fukuda, who was beaten by Mr. Tanaka in the Premiership election.